Mayor Ford launches Bullying Awareness Week

Mayor Rob Ford found himself on the painful side of bullying more than once growing up — and he urged other victims of bullying to stand up and report their tormentors at an event kicking off Bullying Awareness Week Monday, Nov. 12.

Ford proclaimed the week Monday morning in the members lounge at Toronto City Hall. The mayor, who also coaches football, was candid when asked if he’d ever had any experience being bullied.

“When you’re overweight like I’ve been all my life and made fun of, it’s not good when you’re growing up,” said Ford. “There’s many different types of bullying — but being called fat and all that stuff, it bothers me. But you have to deal with it.”

Ford said he sees it still occasionally in his duties coaching high school football.

“I see it when I coach and we won’t tolerate that,” he said, adding young people being bullied shouldn’t suffer in silence.

“Report it — make sure that the authorities and the principals, if it’s outside the police (purview) are aware that it’s happening,” he said. “You have to stand up to bullies. If you keep it inside it can mentally harm you. Make sure people know and find the bullies.”